Match Report : 04/05/2013

Both sides were mathematically safe before the game but second-half strikes from Junior Stanislas and Martin Paterson secure the points for the Clarets.

Mick McCarthy made several changes to his starting line-up, with Tyrone Mings being handed a Town debut whilst Richard Stearman, Patrick Kisnorbo and Anthony Wordsworth all started for Blues.

Young striker Jack Marriott was named amongst the substitutes for Town.

Blues almost made the perfect start to the game, as Kisnorbo went close after just two minutes but the defender could only head over from close range, after meeting Wordsworth’s corner.

The duo combined again on 11 minutes, with the Australian defender again failing to hit the target as his header looped over the bar once again.

The game certainly had an end-of-season feel to it and the next real opportunity didn’t arrive until the 27th minute. Good work from Daryl Murphy saw him break clear of the defence before Kevin Long got back well for Burnley to deflect the Celtic loanee’s effort just wide of the target.

Right-back Kieran Trippier was impressing for the hosts and he went close just after the half-hour mark, seeing a fierce drive from 25 yards deflect just wide of Scott Loach’s goal.

From the resulting corner, skipper Jason Shackell headed over the top for the Clarets before the referee called time on the first-half soon after.

The hosts started the second-half well and Dean Marney flashed a volley just wide of Loach’s goal after 56 minutes.

Minutes later, a superb deep cross from the impressive Mings picked out Murphy at the back-post, but the Republic of Ireland international was foiled by Grant in the Burnley goal, who got down low to push away his header.

However the hosts were soon to break the deadlock, with a goal of real quality after an hour played. Stanislas, who had only been on the pitch five minutes as a substitute, was allowed space just outside the area and he superbly curled the

ball beyond Loach and into the top corner.

Sean Dyche’s side were now in the ascendency and Loach did really well to push away a Martin Paterson drive from close range after 61 minutes.

Goalscorer Stanislas then tried his luck from distance again but the former West Ham man wasn’t troubling Loach and the ball flew over.

Blues went close at the other end and good work from substitute Marriott saw him lay the ball off to Tommy Smith on the edge of the box, but the New Zealand international saw his effort saved by Grant with 22 minuted remaining.

The hosts then had a great chance to wrap the game up with 18 minutes left on the clock, Paterson showed great tenacity to get beyond Mings and pulled the ball back for Chris McCann but he squandered the opportunity by firing wide.

Marriott was looking sharp up front for Town and he was unlucky not to net a debut goal, after climbing above Jason Shackell but seeing his header palmed away by Grant.

Danny Ings saw an effort kept out by Loach at the other end as both sides looked for a breakthrough.

Marriott then showed that he lacks no confidence, stinging the palms of Grant with a fierce drive from 25 yards out.

However the hosts soon sealed the win with a late goal through Paterson. The striker was on hand to head home from close range with just three minutes remaining to ensure Blues were to leave Turf Moor with nothing to show for their efforts.

The focus now switches to next term for Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor as the game brought the curtain down on the season.